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Posted by Mika Frankl
Prior to his UFC on FX 3 fight with Bernardo Magalhaes, I was given the opportunity to have a conversation with Henry Martinez. Martinez is a member of the Jackson’s/Winkeljohn’s Mixed Martial Arts team with a record of (9-2). Martinez is a fighter dangerous wherever the battle goes having two wins by KO/TKO and four wins by submission.
Question: Do you have any thoughts about your opponent Bernardo Magalhaes?
Answer: I don’t take any fighter lightly. I’m just going to show up and impose my game plan. I’m not going to play into any bodies tendencies. I watched his fights and I’m pretty sure I’m ready.
Question: How did competing on the Jackson’s MMA Series prepare you for entering the UFC?
Answer: I’m grateful, very happy that I was able to fight for the Jackson’s MMA Series which it’s a very respectable promotion. I’m very thankful to Ricky Kott for the opportunity to fight on the Jackson’s MMA Series. I was having problems finding fights. He really came thru when I needed the opportunities and so if I can say anything its, I’m very thankful for the opportunity he did give me. Its great a card. The opponents showed up to fight. They were good opponents. It was a good experience over all.
Question: What was it like getting the call to step up on short notice for a fight in the UFC?
Answer: I had actually fought in the Jackson’s MMA Series a few week prior to when they called me and I broke my foot in that fight. I had several fractures and really I was on chill mood just hanging out doing my thing, eating. Doing what fighter does getting fat in between fights. The night they actually called I was in one of the bars down town here in Santa Fe having a beer and eating some pork sliders when they called and wasn’t able to finish my meal cause of the excitement and knowing that I the task I had in front of me. It was all very exciting. I was more focused on the fact that I knew I wasn’t going to be in shape and that I had to show up and perform to really put up a show a dazzle the correct people and make sure I cement my place in the UFC. Rather than show up and make excuses for myself, it’s like I had had these odds staked against me having a broken foot and being out of shape and being up a weight class. Matt Riddle really is a big, big Welterweight. Just I focused more on the task rather than focusing on, OK here’s my first UFC fight, so even though I the odds stacked against me I think it kind of played into my favor having the odds against me because I was able to get my first fight out of the way with my focus being on different things rather then, I’m fighting on the biggest stage in the world for MMA.
Want to hear the interview in it’s entirety? Check out the video below…
